Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has stressed that Esteban Ocon’s decision to join the team in 2025 is proof that the team is no longer seen as the last option in Formula 1.

The American team announced last month that it had signed Ocon on a multi-year deal, which will see him partner Ferrari junior Oliver Bearman once his contract with Alpine expires.

Komatsu had named Ocon as his main candidate to replace Nico Hülkenberg, who was moving to Sauber, as he had extensive experience in the series relative to his age.

The Japanese engineer revealed that he was pleasantly surprised that Ocon did not need much persuasion to entrust his long-term F1 prospects to Haas.

“He’s only 27, so he still has a lot to prove,” Komatsu told media, including Motorsport Week. “And he really has incredible dedication and an incredible work ethic.”

“And when I met him, you know, when I explained to him about this project, where we are, what we want to achieve, you know, I didn’t try to convince him, I just told him it like it is.

“And then he was totally into it, you know, much, to be honest, much more than I expected.

“And he was so committed, he wanted to be part of this project, he believes in this project.

“So it means a lot to me that we have a driver, an experienced driver with a good track record, who is still young, still has a lot to prove and who believes 100% in the project.

“And then he will definitely give us hope. So yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Ocon admitted that talks about leaving Alpine had begun in mid-2023, but Komatsu, who replaced Günther Steiner last winter, revealed that his talks had begun earlier this season.

“I met him after Miami and then in England,” he revealed. “I had spoken to his manager beforehand and met him in England after Miami.”

“I told him where we are, what we want to achieve as a team and what our plans are. But when it comes to the plans and what we want to achieve, none of that is guaranteed.

“That’s just my vision and that’s how we’re trying to move the team forward. I think that was the key meeting.”

“I think he was really into it and he liked the vision and what we wanted to achieve. He was, I don’t know, very committed.”

Ocon is said to have been on Audi’s radar as the German brand prepares to enter Formula 1 when it takes over from Sauber once completely new regulations come into force in 2026.

But Haas has recovered from its slide to last place in the Constructors’ Championship last season and has moved up to seventh place this season with the more competitive VF-24 car.

Komatsu believes that Ocon’s rejection of other possible offers in favour of moving to Haas rather than a better-funded competitor is proof that the offer has become tempting.

“I’m pretty grateful that he decided to come here and not to some other teams that are bigger than us,” he added.

“Everyone is bigger than us, right? So yes, it’s a very positive message.

When asked if this showed that Haas was no longer the “last choice” for drivers in the market, Komatsu replied: “Yes, 100%.

“I think, honestly, the credit goes to the guys who improved the car over the course of the season.

“We had a label that was never able to develop the car throughout the season. Some seasons may start well, but it only goes backwards.”

“But with our guys, thanks to the efforts of our guys during the updates we did in Shanghai, Miami and Imola, we can at least maintain our position and close the gap with certain teams.

“Okay, we may not have improved as much as McLaren, but compared to many others we have not fallen behind.

“At least we are maintaining our lead. And in Silverstone you could see that we have actually closed the gap.

“Yes, there are ups and downs at certain events, but overall we have proven that we can develop the car over the course of the season.

“So, yes, I think it’s thanks to these guys that other drivers have taken an interest in us. Very gratifying.”